Tall order to be a voterPeople applying for being registered as voters will have to submit receipts of municipal tax or house rent or payment to local guards, and affidavit on age or attested copy of SSC certificate with their

Cops ready to foil 14-party's EC siegeAwami League (AL)-led 14-party opposition coalition is scheduled to lay siege to the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat in Dhaka and to district election offices across the country today demanding immediate

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EU stresses flawless voter listAmbassador of the European Commission to Bangladesh Dr Stefan Frowein has stressed the need for preparing a fair voter list as a key element for ensuring a free and fair election.

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Govt pry teachers haven't seen pay hike in 32 yearsAlthough teaching is a noble profession and the education sector always gets the highest allocation in the national budget, the abysmally low scale of salary for the teachers of government primary schools

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Law needed to prevent syndicated tradingThe government should build a strong institutional capacity within the framework of free market economy to control prices, a post-budget discussion was told here yesterday.

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Door-to-door visit not possible: CECAmid controversy over the preparation of the voter list, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz yesterday said it would not be possible to visit door to door for the task as per court order.

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Primary teachers continue strikeGovernment primary schools and community primary schools remained closed across the country for the third consecutive day yesterday as the teachers continue their indefinite strike.

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Spain ride on TorresLate strikes from Raul and a Fernando Torres double saw Spain come from behind to claim a dramatic 3-1 win over Tunisia that clinched a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

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Ukraine crush sloppy SaudisUkraine revived their hopes of advancing to the World Cup's second round with a crushing 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in World Cup Group H on Monday.

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Swiss show Togo the doorSwitzerland 2 Togo 0Switzerland overcame a stiff challenge from World Cup debutants Togo on Monday before ending the African side's hopes with a battling 2-0 win.

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Hasan's murder plot proved in trial courtThe prosecution of the death reference and appeal hearing of Shazneen murder case yesterday said the witnesses' accounts in the trial court undoubtedly proved Hasan plotted to kill Shazneen with the help

Another DEPZ factory closedA factory was closed in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) yesterday as workers refused to work until their demands were met. The closure of Paddocks Jeans Ltd came only a day after it resumed operations.

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AL men ransack vehicles in cityAwami League (AL) activists went on a rampage in the capital last night following ruling BNP legislator Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu's remarks in the parliament about Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasinayesterday.

Why siege won't be declared illegalThe High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule on five top opposition leaders to explain within three weeks why the programmes in the name of aborodh (siege) and strike declared by them should not be declared

Nasreen Huq's body exhumed, autopsy doneDoctors carried out autopsy on the body of Nasreen Pervin Huq, the deceased country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, after the body was exhumed yesterday about two months into her mysterious death.

Iraq PM announces first coalition troop pullbackCoalition troops are to quit the southern Iraqi province of Muthanna next month, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced Monday, in the first such handover to the fledgling Iraqi security forces.

China's middle class going for total makeoversImage is everything in modern China and in a drab-looking office in the capital, a steady stream of housewives, single women and even men file through its door daily to seek a complete makeover.

Indian May exports grow 29.6pcIndia's exports surged by 29.6 percent in May from the same month a year earlier to 9.36 billion dollars but the trade deficit swelled on rising oil import costs, the trade ministry said Monday.

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'Europe has no alternative to Russian energy'The European Union has no reliable alternative to Russia for energy imports, former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Monday in a speech that emphasized Russia's role as a stable energy supplier.

Philippines raises forecast for farm sector growthBetter rice yields and favorable weather this year should lead to a five percent rise in Philippine farm sector output, better than the government's initial four percent forecast, Agriculture Secretary

Czech striker Milan Baros will resume training on Monday after missing his country's first two matches in the World Cup, team spokesmanLukas

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Football:Aiming to break jinxEngland have vowed to end their 38-year winless streak against Sweden here Tuesday -- even if the reward is a World Cup second round showdown with host nation Germany.

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Football:Fight for top spotHosts Germany are ready to run the risk of suspensions and fatigue as they go all out to finish top of their World Cup group with a win over Ecuador in Berlin on Tuesday.

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Football:Soca Warriors aim for R16Tiny Trinidad and Tobago are bidding to cause an upset and create World Cup history when they face Paraguay in what promises to be a nail-biting Group B decider here on Tuesday.

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Football:Only pride at stakeCosta Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes and his Polish counterpart Pawel Janas know their teams are out of the World Cup but on Tuesday they will wage a personal battle for survival.

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Football:Latinos not liking the batonBrazil have insisted all along that they do not want to pick up the baton of favourites -- their form to date suggests that could be a wise ploy -- and now Argentina are doing the same.

Football:Janas gets reprievePolish football chiefs said on Friday they would wait until mid-July before deciding on the future of coach Pawel Janas after the eastern Europeans' first round exit from the FIFA World Cup.

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Football:'Bring on the English'Michael Ballack insists Germany will not fear England, should the two teams meet in the second round.

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Football:Ecuador sans starsEcuador are set to take on host nation Germany in their Group A decider on Tuesday without striker Carlos Tenorio and midfielder Luis Valencia and forward Agustin Delgado is said to be a doubt.

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Football:Third EyeBrazil came out without any bruises (ask Ronaldo, he will show you 'a la adidas' stripes on his leg from the spikes of an opposition boot) from their group to reach the knockout stage.

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Football:WC BriefsJapanese Princess Hisako watched her home side, the Asian champions, battle Croatia in their second World Cup match here Sunday for survival in the first round.

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Tennis:Roger on par with BjornRoger Federer equalled Bjorn Borg's record for consecutive grass court victories when he won his fourth successive Halle title on Sunday.

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Cricket:Duncan asks for calmEngland coach Duncan Fletcher has asked for understanding from fans for the rest of the one-day series against Sri Lanka after his side lost the opening game.

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Cricket:Enamul takes BD A closer to winBangladesh A require a further 78 runs to win after another brilliant spell of bowling from Enamul Haque in the third day of the first four-day match against Zimbabwe A at the Mutare Sports Club ground

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Football:ISD, Sonargaon on right trackInternational School of Dhaka (ISD) coasted past Interspeed by 3-1 in the BRAC Bank five-a-side football tournament at the ISD indoor facilities yesterday.

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Football:The best yet to comeTwo wins out of two, a maximum six points and early qualification for the last 16 would be enough for most teams. Brazil are different though.

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Football:Klinsmann's future in his own handsWhether Jurgen Klinsmann stays on as German coach after the World Cup is down to him alone, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Sunday.

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Football:'We will do it for Zidane'France's struggling World Cup stars have insisted they still have a chance of reaching the last 16 despite a second successive draw which leaves their hopes in the balance.

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Football:Birthday wish for McBrideUS forward Brian McBride celebrated his 34th birthday here Monday by starting workouts for what might be his final World Cup match, hoping to delay the farewell beyond Thursday's showdown with Ghana.

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Football:Tattoos in vogueFIFA directives to keep their shirt on after scoring might keep many of them under wraps, but the World Cup brings together a swathe of players who don't mind getting the needle - for the sake of sporting

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Football:England striving for clean sheetFew can argue that England has one of the best defensive lines around and keeping a clean sheet in the World Cup is what is driving players like John Terry.

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Football:1958 inspiration for ErikssonSven Goran Eriksson is a keen student of history and England will be hoping he can have the same impact on their football team in his swansong here at the World Cup as an Englishman had on the Swedish

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Football:Miracle on mindJapan may have only the slimmest of chances of beating Brazil for survival in the World Cup, but the Asian champions have not ruled out a "miracle win" over the five-time holders.

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Football:Dick gives licence to thrillDelighted coach Dick Advocaat allowed South Korea time to savour their heroic 1-1 draw with 1998 winners France before knuckling down for the Group G crunch match with Switzerland.

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Football:Socceroos to go for the killAustralia's Socceroos say it will be a dangerous mindset to play for a draw in their 'Cup final' with Croatia on Thursday to advance to the last 16 of the World Cup.

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Football:Blame it on 'deeper role'The cheeky flicks and backheels are there but the absence of the ever-present grin indicates that something is not quite right.

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Football:Keeping the fingers crossedDesperate fans across Japan were left praying Monday for a repeat of their miracle win over Brazil at the 1996 Olympics, with hopes of remaining in the World Cup now resting on beating the title holders.

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Football:Aussies proud of Socceroos' showThe sleep-deprived green and gold army cheering Australia on through the early hours in their homeland on Monday were disappointed but not dejected at the Socceroos' battling 2-0 loss to Brazil.

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Football:Soccer language is bornIs the goalkeeper a fliegenfanger? Was that goal a Maradona? Should the ball be passed to the porteur d'eau or the trequartista? No comprendo? Then you're obviously not fluent in socceranto, a football

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Football:France in despairFrance's lacklustre 1-1 draw with South Korea drew negative reaction from the country's press on Monday with the front page headline of l'Equipe summing things up with headline: "Despair.

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Football:Park goal triggers rush-hour frenzyThousands of bleary-eyed South Koreans trooped to work Monday tired but happy after staying up all night to watch their team draw 1-1 with France in the World Cup.

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Football:'Rooney return the key'Michael Owen believes the return of Wayne Rooney could hold the key to ending his World Cup goal-drought as the two strikers prepare to resume their partnership against Sweden.

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Football:WC QuotesWhat they are saying at the World Cup:"I have left him to boil in his own soup.

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Football:FIFA wants 100% guaranteeFIFA will not consider using video evidence or other goal-line technology to determine if a goal has been scored until it is 100 per cent reliable, spokesman Markus Siegler said on Monday.

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Football:Klose, Podolski getting on wellGermany's top World Cup marksman Miroslav Klose has denied having a fall-out with his junior strike partner Lukas Podolski.

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Football:Polish look to blood youthPoland could go for youth in their final Group A game with Costa Rica despite an improved performance in Wednesday's defeat by Germany.

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Football:Paraguay will exit with pride: RuizParaguay coach Anibal Ruiz said on Friday that he was proud of his eliminated World Cup team and expects them to produce a solid farewell performance against Trinidad and Tobago before flying home.

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Football:Ballack won't hold backMichael Ballack said on Sunday he would play his usual aggressive game against Ecuador in Germany's final group game, even though he is threatened by suspension after picking up a yellow card.

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Football:Recognition near impossibleGermany manager Jurgen Klinsmann admits the people in the United States do not recognise him when they see him in the street and believes that will not change even if he guides the hosts to World Cupglory

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Football:Israeli flag waver sparks furyGhana defender John Paintsil's waving of an Israeli flag to celebrate his team's World Cup goals drew a barrage of insults and furious reactions in Monday's Egyptian newspapers.

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Football:Metzelder fit for EcuadorGermany can call upon centre-back Christoph Metzelder for Tuesday's World Cup encounter with Ecuador in Berlin, assistant coach Joachim Low said Sunday.

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Football:Gray ruled outTrinidad and Tobago defender Cyd Gray will miss their final World Cup Group B match against Paraguay on Tuesday.

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Football:Kewell to face disciplinary panelAustralia striker Harry Kewell will face a FIFA disciplinary panel over his rant at German referee Markus Merk after Australia's 2-0 World Cup defeat to Brazil, FIFA said on Monday.

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Football:Neville feared World Cup KOEngland defender Gary Neville feared his World Cup was over when he suffered a calf injury, his brother Phil said on Sunday.

Schoolboy, shop employee murdered in cityAn employee of a shop was stabbed to death by a gang of criminals in the city on Sunday night. Police identified the victim as Elahi Ashraf Robin, 28, a staff of Ayesha Shopping Complex at Malibagh.

Immediate release demandedMyanmar nationals living in Bangladesh formed a human chain in front of the Foreign Ministry in the city yesterday marking the 61st birth anniversary of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been

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Hunger strike for borrower-friendly loansBorrowers of House Building and Finance Corporation (HBFC) will observe a token hunger strike at Muktangon in the city tomorrow and submit a memorandum to the PM for making the loans borrower-friendly.

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Listed criminal held in BagerhatDetective Branch (DB) of police arrested a listed criminal on Sunday at Nagerbazar under Sadar Police Station in Bagerhat. The arrestee was identified as Siddiqur Rahman alias Bomaru Siddique, 40.

Diarrhoea claims 3 in KhagrachhariAt least three people including a child died of diarrhoea in four upazilas as the disease broke out in an epidemic form in the district during the last few days, local sources said.

Tethering in the twilight of war and peaceNepal today stands at a critical juncture of its history. April revolution has ended the days of absolute monarchy ushering the hope for a restructured Nepali state embracing the ideals of democracy, pluralism and secularism.

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A ludicrous election commissionThe Election Commission (EC) headed by Justice MA Aziz (CEC) is heading towards another mess in the wake of their decision to revise the existing voter list without engaging its enumerators for door-to-door

Rohingya repatriation uncertainRepatriation of remaining 21,000 Rohingya refugees living in two camps in Cox's Bazar has become uncertain as some issues remain unsettled between the government and the United Nations High Commission

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Talks start on drafting interim Nepal constitutionA committee which will draft a temporary constitution for Nepal -- paving the way for rebel Maoists to join an interim government -- has started consulting the rebels and civil society leaders, officials

National fruit exhibition heldNational fruit exhibition and award distribution ceremony was held at Khamar Bari of Tejgaon area in the city on Friday as part of the National Fruit-bearing Tree Plantation Fortnight-2006 campaign.

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Call to strengthen talksBangladesh yesterday told the opening session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) here that the international community must strengthen dialogue and cooperation for nuclear disarmament and

Pak-born man guilty in Sydney 'jihad' plotA Pakistan-born architect accused of plotting a "jihad" bombing campaign in Australia was convicted on three terrorism-related charges Monday and could face a life sentence.

New UN rights body kicks offThe United Nations' reformed Human Rights Council began its first-ever session Monday, with high hopes that it will do more for the victims of abuses and avoid the political horse-trading of the past.

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Sri Lanka invites Tigers to talksSri Lanka Monday invited Tamil Tiger rebels to negotiate peace and save their collapsing ceasefire as two more soldiers were reported killed in a weekend of violence that left over 50 people dead.

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Two ex-Nepal royal ministers freedNepali Supreme Court has freed two former ministers appointed by the monarchy who had been detained for five weeks by the new government that took power in April, a court official said Monday.

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Nepal's SC to review case of SobhrajNepal's Supreme Court is to review the case of notorious French serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who was given a life sentence for murder after being arrested here in 2003, his lawyer said Monday.

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Two burnt to death in Indian riotsTwo girls were burnt to death in sectarian rioting between Hindus and Muslims sparked by the death of a youth in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, police said Monday.

Time to curb gun trade,says KalashnikovMikhail Kalashnikov, father of the famous assault rifle better known as the AK47, has called for curbs to the international gun trade, The Times reported Monday.

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Rent-a-wife business!A shortage of eligible single women has prompted some poverty-stricken husbands in western India to rent out their wives to other men on a monthly rate, according to a news report Monday.

Editorial:PM's advice for journalistsWhile speaking with a delegation of the newly elected members of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), the prime minister is reported to have called upon journalists to refrain from doing

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Editorial:Fishermen's ordealWe are relieved by the return home of 13 Bangladeshi fishermen from India which hosted them for nine months under extraordinary circumstances.

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EC contriving crisis?The on-going agitation movement of the Awami League-led 14 party alliance seems to be set for a right cause. At the initial stage, however, it was suspected as an act of 'opposition for opposition's sake'.

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How big is Togo?How big is Togo? How small is Togo? How big is India? How small is the Indian? How petty is the mind that manages Indian sports? How minuscule is the pride that a nation should have in its sports team?

Who gains from hartals?We had a 36-hour hartal, but we have not assessed it achievements for the country . If I look back, I would find few public buses , mini buses, cars, vans, baby-taxis on the streets.

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BudgetEvery year after the national budget is placed in the parliament, opposition political parties term it anti-people. The ruling party, on the other hand, calls it a pro-people budget.

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e-friendshipGone are the days of pen-friendship: Now, as I would like to call it, e-friendship or electronic-friendship has taken the place of pen-friendship through perpetuation of e-mail and SMS culture.

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ACCThe length and depth of corruption cannot be measured in the context of Bangladesh. We have been 'glorified' as the most corrupt country in the world several times.

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Private universitiesThe number of private universities is increasing day by day. It is true that nowadays people have confidence in private universities.

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Rights of peopleI received the following letter in mysterious circumstances. Its views are not mine, of course, but the writer has a similar point of view expressed in one of your letters ("Why call them indigenous?", June 11, 2006)

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Rare example of honestyThe tale of the honesty of a laundry businessman from Goalanda, Rajbari, was published in DS last month (April 1, 06).